was John? See iv. 21. Were these three apostles peculiarly favoured by our Lord? Yes; they were the first whom Jesus called to follow him; and they were honoured with his peculiar regard and intimacy. What most remarkable events in our Lord's life were they privileged to witness? See x. 2. Which of those events were they now about to behold? His transfiguration. What is the meaning of transfiguration? A change in his personal appearance. Where did that wonderful scene take place? On a high mountain.* What is meant by "apart"? Away from the people and the rest of his disciples. Why did our Lord retire with these three disciples to a mountain? To pray.t night. How long did they continue there? All 2. As Jesus was praying,§ what took place? He was "transfigured before them." How is the change of his personal appearance described? "His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." What made his face to shine as the sun? The glory of his through his humanity. guished character, under the Jewish dispensation, the skin of whose face shone? Yes; Moses, when he talked with Jehovah on Mount Sinai. What was the difference between the shining of Moses' Divine nature beaming * Supposed to be Mount Tabor; but, with greater probability, a high mountain near Cesarea.. + Luke ix. 28. 37. § 29. Exod. xxxiv. 29. face and the brightness of our Lord's countenance? The brightness of Moses' face was from without, the brightness of Jesus' face was from within. What made our Lord's raiment white as light? The dazzling lustre of his body shining through it. Was there any borrowed light, or glory, in this transfiguration? No; it was the essential glory of the Son of God. What do you mean by its being essential? That it was properly his own.* Is the glory or splendour attaching to any mere creature essential to it? No; all the glory of created beings is derived from God.t Who was See iv. 2. Yes. 3. Who came from the invisible world to converse with our Lord? "Behold there appeared unto them Moses and Elias, talking with him." Moses? See iv. 2. Who was Elias? Were these prophets both very eminent? Was there any thing remarkable in the manner of their departure from the world? Yes; the body of Moses was never found after his death, and Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire.|| How did these distinguished servants of God appear, on the occasion here specified? In glory.§ How were their persons adorned? With all the beauties of immortality. Was the glory that invested Moses and Elias essential or derived? Derived. How do you know that? Because Moses and Elias were created beings; and all the glory of created beings is Hence it is called His glory. John i. 14. + Ezek. xvi. 14; 1 Cor. iv. 7. Deut. xxxiv. 6. 2 Kings ii. 11. E Luke ix. 31. derived from God.* With whom did Moses and Elias converse? With the Lord Jesus. What was the subject of their converse? They spake of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.† What do you mean by his decease? His departure from the world. What events are included in our Lord's departure? Both his death and his triumphal ascension. Were Peter, James, and Why John present during this conversation? Yes. Did they hear the whole of the conversation? No; they heard only a few words at the close of the discourse, from which they knew the subject of it. did they not hear the whole? Because they were heavy with sleep.‡ Was it not to be regretted that they were so overpowered with sleep? Yes; it was doubtless a great loss not to hear the whole of so interesting a discourse. Were the apostles at all excusable for not being more wakeful? Yes; it was the night season, and they were exhausted with the fatigues of the day. Can the same excuse be made for those who sleep during sermon, in the day time? No; there is seldom any good excuse for that. If such drowsiness does not proceed from sinful indifference or self-indulgence, how is it to be regarded? As an infirmity. Are all infirmities the effects of sin? Yes; sin is the cause of them all. Are our infirmities sinful in themselves? No; they are natural, but not sinful. When are Luke ix. 32. They had probably fallen asleep while Jesus was praying alone, at a little distance from them. they subjects of deep humiliation to the believer? When they clog the soul, and unfit it for spiritual duty or enjoyment.* How did the apostle Paul overcome his infirmities, so as to rejoice and glory in them? By the grace of God, and the power of Christ resting upon him.‡ Would Paul have gloried in his infirmities, if they had been in their nature sinful? Surely not. What useful lesson does this subject teach us? proper distinction; so as never to call our sins, infirmities. Is there a danger in using too soft words when we speak of sin? Yes; it may make us think too lightly of the great evil of sin. It teaches us to make a 4. When the three apostles were roused from their drowsy stupor, how did the scene affect them? It produced a sort of bewildered admiration. Did it leave a lasting impression on their minds? Yes; Peter referred to it just before his death.|| How did he refer to it? He said (in his last epistle), "We were eye-witnesses of his majesty.|| Was he the foremost to speak, on the present occasion? Yes; "Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias." Did the apostles know these heavenly visitors? Yes. Had they ever seen them before? No. How then could they Ps. lxxvii. compare ver. 2 and 10. + 2 Cor. xi. 30. 2 Cor. xii. 9. Compare the time 2 Pet. i. 14, with the declaration 2 Pet. i. 16. know who they were? They must have heard our Lord address them by name. What made Peter exclaim, "It is good for us to be here"? Because the shining appearance of our Lord, and the coming think that now Messiah's kingWhat did Peter propose to of Elias, made him dom was at hand. "Three tabernacles." make on the mount? are tabernacles? boughs and leaves of trees. What Tents, or booths, made of the ciples erect these booths? For the shelter and accommodation of their Master and his heavenly visitants. Why was Peter in such haste to erect these habitations? In order, if possible, to detain Moses and Elias; for he saw that they were on the point of departing.* 5. Whilst Peter was speaking, what occurred? "While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them." What was the brightness that shone through the cloud? The token of the Divine presence. And why was the glory of the Most High intercepted by a cloud? That the light might be so softened as not to overpower the disciples. Could they have borne the full glory of the Divine presence? No; the light in which God dwells is too bright for mortal eyes to behold.† When Peter afterwards described this luminous appearance, as seen through the cloud, what did he call it? The excellent glory.‡ Did he ever forget it? No; never. Are there some memorable circumstances in the life of every believer, that are remembered to Luke ix. 33. +1 Tim. vi. 16. 2 Pet i 17. |